10 Questions with ... Jack Shell

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

DEMO:

Country:

AC:

• WLYF/Miami - 2016-Present Programming Assistant, Main fill-in talent, Weekends
• WYCD/Detroit - 2011-2016 APD/MD/Middays
• WKDF/Nashville - 2007-2011 Afternoons
• WSM AM-FM/Nashville - 2003-2007 Dir./Creative Services
• WRQQ/Nashville - 2001-2003 Evenings
• WMHX/Louisville - 1999-2001 Mornings
• WWRM/Tampa - 1997-1999 Evenings
• WKZW/Peoria - 1994-1997 APD/MD/Afternoons
• WXCL/Peoria - 1992-1994 Baby DJ, gopher, cutting teeth, hot dog server

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

Well, first-off, I HAVE a job ... it's just not full-time. When I left cold Detroit, I needed a place to thaw my bones. My family is in Florida, and my wife Karen and I could afford to make this move, so we did. What's more, my friend Rob Sidney at 101.5 LITE FM (which has long been a favorite station of mine) hired me to work here to help out on and off the air. I still can't believe I've had the chance to work here and for him, a gifted PD and manager who every broadcaster should have the chance to work for in their career. It's been a total win-win. I've had a year to clear my head, warm my bones, (to borrow a LITE FM positioner...) refresh and recharge, and I've just started looking for my next full-time opportunity. I've never been more ready to win again than I am now.

2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

I live in South Florida, it's sunny (almost) every day, I live five minutes from the beach (20 if I ride my bike), and I run in a park across from our townhouse with a big beautiful lake where parrots fly across the palm and giant oak trees every morning. I cook, I do a lot of bike riding, I go to the beach, I run; I am staying fit, and explore this gorgeous state with my wife when we have the time. I've also had the year to reconnect with my family, which is hard to do when you've lived as far away from them as I have these last few years. It's been an amazing year. Oh, and we adopted a cat that I am in love with, her name is Libby.

3) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

I've never given up on the business. In fact, my passion for great radio is just as strong as it was when I was a 12-year-old playing DJ in my bedroom "radio station," dreaming of one day getting to do this for a living. I've been very blessed. As an outsider, I do see the compression of jobs and that saddens me more than discourages me. I realize that we all have to evolve and accept that the business has changed and if we take on a position at any radio station, that we may be asked to wear more than one hat.

4) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?

I'm fortunate enough to have representation by one of the greatest agents in radio, Jim Robinson, who has been shopping me around since we decided to fire the job search up again. In the past, I was able to network within my company to gain other opportunities. For a while, I was blessed with high audience shares which attracted consultants and programmers to pay attention, and hire me away - which is what happened to me in Nashville when I left for Detroit.

5) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

I used to send out quarts of Shell motor oil, with a label affixed reading "For optimum performance, choose Shell." I'm sure if the US Postal Service caught wind of this activity, I'd have been heavily fined or prosecuted. Hey, I was young. One PD wrote back and said, "Like your tape, don't have an opening, but I changed the oil in our station van. Thanks!"

6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

Drivetime in an adult formats such as AC or Hot AC, Classic Hits, and yeah ... even Country, where I've had my greatest success. I've been an APD, and think I'd make a good PD, if given the chance.

7) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)

It would be nice to hear SOMETHING, ANYTHING. Again, I've not been on my search long, and my agent is handling a lot of this work, but a couple of times a position I've applied for was filled, and I didn't hear even a "Thank you for your submission." A simple acknowledgement is wonderful, not to mention professional and courteous.

8) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?

A fun, interactive, exciting show that has energy, phones, humor, and relevance without stopping the music. I'm a pro at managing my time on and off the air and have been a proven PPM performer with top ratings in three large markets.

9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Middays on WYCD in Detroit, where I held down the largest audience share in the Motor City in my daypart for three solid years. That was a career highlight. Also being voted "Best Radio DJ" by readers of The Tennessean two years in a row when I was WKDF in Nashville. I'm not much for awards, but when listeners vote for you like that, that's when you know you've connected.

10) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?

Working with true professionals at LITE FM in Miami has reminded me that great radio stations exist because of an "ensemble cast." Rob Sidney has a "Programmer's Pledge" we all adhere to that lists our collective expectations as a staff, and I appreciate that. My favorite part of that pledge is " 'All of us' is stronger than 'each of us.'" We communicate and fix problems before they become bigger problems. We work with each other and know each other personally. The best stations are the ones with true teams. I hope to become a member of such an ensemble at my next stop.

Your favorite new diversion is ...

Mountain bike trail riding ... although I broke my toe a month ago when I went on a trail that was a little too advanced for this novice. I'm always pushing the boundaries and reaching higher. Having beautiful weather and the time to spend in it has been good for my soul. Oh, and I did I mention my cat?